Zygi Wilf said on Monday he’s “not frustrated” with the process for a new stadium and reiterated he’s not threatening to “move the team.” The Vikings’ owner met briefly with the media following a local news conference with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.  The new commissioner said he held a “productive” meeting regarding the stadium process earlier in the day with Governor Tim Pawlenty. 

“The governor made it clear he understands the Vikings’ need for a new stadium,” Goodell said.  While the governor made no commitments, Goodell said Pawlenty “indicated” the Vikings are “up next” in the stadium derby now that new facilities have been approved for the Minnesota Twins and the Gophers. 

Goodell stated that the Viking stadium issue is “urgent” but declined to talk about deadlines.  “I don’t normally operate on deadlines,” he said. 

The Vikings have been dialoguing with state leaders for about 10 years, explaining that the Metrodome doesn’t allow the franchise to generate anywhere near normal NFL revenues.  The team’s lease at the dome expires in 2011 but Goodell wouldn’t be drawn into a what-if stadium scenario if nothing is done about a new stadium by that year.  He also said the NFL continues to have discussions about returning pro football to the Los Angeles market, long speculated about as a possible home for the Vikings. 

While in town Goodell, who became commissioner in August, also met with local business leaders, and Vikings ownership, players and coach Brad Childress.

With nine freshmen and five sophomores on the roster, the University of Minnesota hockey team will learn as it plays but former Minnesota North Stars and Gopher coach Glen Sonmor bubbles with excitement when he talks about the 2006-2007 team.  He describes the Gophers as “exciting and fun every night,” a team deserving of its 11 game winning streak and speculation that it will play for the national championship.  “There’s no question this will be one of the teams you have to contend with,” Sonmor said.

Are there specific things fans can watch to see if the Gophers are progressing toward their full potential?  “That they continue to compete with the intensity they compete with now,” Sonmor said.  “That they can continue to show their depth with four lines, and it always comes down to the goal keeping.” 

Sonmor, who provides color commentary on Gopher games for WCCO Radio, is ecstatic about the “phenomenal freshman crop,” describing the class as talented and deep, the best in school history. That class, of course, is led by defenseman Erik Johnson, “the best 18-year-old player in the world,” according to Sonmor. 

How can Johnson improve?  “Just get used to doing everything quicker than he has done in the past,” Sonmor answered.  He agrees with near consensus discussion that Johnson will play only one season at Minnesota before joining the St. Louis Blues.  Still he sees an upside to playing one more season with the Gophers.  “I think it’s great (for development) if a player can be dominant for awhile,” he said.

Dave Mona wrote a segment regarding football nicknames for the WCCO Radio Gopher football pre-game show.  Mona was looking for a topic prior to the Indiana game and was reviewing the Hoosier media guide. He saw the name Bob Hoernschemeyer but it didn’t look familiar.  Then he remembered Bob was also known as Hunchy Hoernschemeyer. 

Mona wondered whatever happened to football nicknames.  How about the Lonesome End, the Seven Blocks of Granite, the Four Horsemen, Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside? 

Years ago, Mona recalled, football offered up Alan the Horse Ameche, Norm Dutch Van Brocklin, Slingin’ Sammy Baugh, Elroy Crazy Legs Hirsch, Howard Hopalong Cassady, Lou the Toe Groza, Joe the Jet Perry, Hugh the King McElhenny, Dick Night Train Lane, Elwell Doak Walker, Charlie Choo Choo Justice, Byron Whizzer White, Babe Parelli, Red the Galloping Ghost Grange and Floyd Breezy Reid.  From the Gophers came Bronko Nagurski, Leo the Lion Nomellini, Babe LeVoir, W.W. Pudge Heffelfinger, Pug Lund and two of my all–time favorites, Bob Snowshoe Schultz  and Smokey Joe Salem (Mona left  them off his list). 

Sports writers once drooled at the thought of hanging a nickname on a player.  If a writer didn’t come up with something, a relative or friend just might.  In the old days athletes and non-athletes, the famous and the ordinary, had nicknames.  Whether it’s political correctness, or lack of creativity, nicknames today are more unusual but the old timers will not be forgotten.